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15 February 2016
If there is a waterbody on your site, or within 500m of the site boundary, you may need to consider the impacts of your development on great crested newt as part of your planning application.
Ecological surveys are very seasonal and we understand there is nothing more frustrating than having to put your project on hold whilst waiting for the findings of a protected species survey.
Therefore, we are reminding all our clients that we will soon be entering the great crested newt survey season, which runs from mid-March to mid-June.
In addition to traditional survey techniques for great crested newt, ECOSA are able to offer the cost-saving benefits that Environmental DNA Analysis (eDNA) testing can provide.
eDNA is a recognised survey method to identify presence or absence of great crested newt. The technique involves analysing water samples and testing for traces of great crested newt DNA.
For this survey technique to work, water samples need to be taken between mid-April and the end of June. If the result comes back negative, further surveys are not required. Should samples come back positive, further surveys may be needed.
Lead in times for this service are therefore crucial. Positive water sampling then needs to be followed by detailed "traditional" great crested newt surveys, carried out between mid-April and the end of June.
The advantages of using this survey technique are clear. If there are numerous waterbodies on site or within a 500m radius of the site boundary (sometimes 250m is an appropriate distance), eDNA will accurately rule out ponds where great crested newt are absent and therefore make significant cost and time savings.
Given the relatively restricted survey season associated with this species, we advise that an ecologist is contacted as soon as possible to discuss any survey requirements and to ensure surveys take place during the appropriate timeframe.
For an informal chat about great crested newt surveys and eDNA testing, please call 02380 261065 or email info@ecosa.co.uk.
Visit our survey timetable to review the survey seasons by species, and see those months in which mitigation and other works which may affect them can be conducted. You can also read more about the great crested newt and the associated survey regime in our Resources section.
